The choir rooms play a vital
part in the maintenance of the choral tradition of the cathedral. It is
here that the various choirs practice their singing, and the walls of this part
of the building have echoed to many fine outpourings of vocal talent.
Visitors are sometimes disturbed by the sounds of heavy breathing that creep
under the thick wooden doors, and have to be reassured by the verger that there
is nothing untoward going on behind them. Part of the training that the
choristers undergo is control of their breathing, and to this end their speech
therapist, Miss. Gertrude Aylesbury, often has them on the floor and panting
like dogs.

The fine pew-end carving shown
above was created in the mid-17th century and tradition holds that it portrays
the first choir rooms built for the cathedral in 1498 in Privy Street.
They burnt down in 1641 during a particularly fine firework display organised by
the Dean of the cathedral in honour of the King's birthday.